City Council Votes Against 6th Street Broadband Tower

Proposed Tower Site

The Lamar City Council, on a four to three ballot, voted against erecting a 100 foot tall wireless broadband communication tower at 207 South 6^th Street in Lamar.  The address is in a C-2 zoning district.  NE Colorado Cellular, Inc, d/b/a Viaero Wireless and Mountain Tower & Land LLC, submitted an application which was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission following a public hearing held on May 29^th.  The existing building code regarding Height of Structures and Radio and Television Towers prohibits any structure in a C-2 District with a height greater than 45 feet.  Rick Bailey, representing the wireless firm, addressed the council, citing a section of the Lamar Municipal Code, 16-17-130, which, by his interpretation, allowed an exception to the height restriction, as well as a Telecommunications Act regulation as it applied to zoning.  After some give and take with the council on the interpretations, it was decided that City Attorney, Garth Neischburg, would research the regulations, while Bailey would take steps for sending an appeal to City Administrator, John Sutherland and Neischburg for additional consideration for the council’s vote.

Once the construction of Main Street in Lamar is finalized, the finishing touches in the form of streetscaping and beautification can begin using a $400,000 CDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant which was awarded to the city in October 2016. The project will include way-finding signage, planters, trees, trash receptacles and benches which will provide the downtown area with a more consumer friendly atmosphere.  The city’s match on the grant is $80,000, or 20% for the grant for a total of $480,000.  The council approved the grant.

Dean Reed was re-appointed to the Lamar Airport Board to fill a five year term expiring in February 2023. The council’s budget calendar for 2019 was approved.  A public hearing on the proposed 2019 budget is scheduled for October 8th of this year with the second reading of the ordinance set for November 12th.

The council awarded the contract bid for janitorial services at the Lamar Welcome Center to Daniel Nuehold. Two bids were received and opened on June 6th.  Neuhold’s bid of $675 per month was accepted by the council.  He has been awarded the contract, mostly as a single bid, for the past several years at the same fee.

A letter of support for the Camp Amache Preservation Society was approved by the council. This will help facilitate having the 640 acre World War Two relocation site in Granada named as a National Park.  It’s hoped the designation would increase tourism visits to this portion of the state.  The letters will be sent to U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner.

The Lamar Redevelopment Authority Board, authorized expending $15,833 as a 20% match for funds to refurbish the exterior of Coronica’s at 100 North Main Street in Lamar. The total cost of the project for the two story building is $145,215 of which the Board determined they will fund a percentage of the project’s cost of $79,415.  The construction will help maintain historical accuracy of the style and materials used in the original construction, dating over 100 years ago.  The project also includes a new driveway along the East Hickory Street that will include the liquor store’s drive-thru window.

By Russ Baldwin